Vayigash ויגש

With that he embraced his brother Benjamin around the neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck.He kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; only then were his brothers able to talk to him.

After the animosity and trauma between Joseph and his brothers, this week’s portion, Vayigash, is an attempt to right this wrong: to bring the brothers back together. The story of Jacobs's sons teaches us of the harsh impact the violence between the brothers has on Jacob, on their family, on the people of Israel. Our Parashah teaches us the possibility for reconciliation and peace between enemies, of overcoming victimhood. Midrashsir for Parasht Vayigash is a song performed by Hadag Nachash protesting the violence between brothers, between Israelis, between people.

The Masorti Movement is committed to a pluralistic, egalitarian, and democratic vision of Zionism. Masorti represents a “third” way. Not secular Judaism. Not ultra-Orthodoxy. But a Jewish life that integrates secular beliefs. Halakhah with inclusion and egalitarianism. Tradition that recognizes the realities of today’s world. Masorti engages tens of thousands of Israelis each year, young and old, native born as well as olim from around the globe.